Impaired Depth Perception Discriminates Alzheimer's Dementia from Aging and Major Depression

Author(s)

Wiley Mittenberg, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Maura Malloy, Nova University School of Psychology
James Petrick, Nova University School of Psychology
Kathleen Knee, Nova University School of Psychology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1994

Publication Title

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

Volume

9

Issue/Number

1

First Page

71

ISSN

0887-6177

Last Page

79

Abstract/Excerpt

Parietal and temporal lesions are known to impair binocular depth perception. Clinically meaningful impairment was therefore suspected due to early degeneration of these regions in Alzheimer's dementia. Results supported the cortical localization described in focal lesion studies. Deficient stereopsis was common in dementia (80%) but relatively uncommon in elderly normals (14%) and major depressives with cognitive symptoms (31%). Performance was unrelated to age, IQ, or severity of cognitive impairment. Testing involves minimal patient effort and time (1–2 min). Stereopsis examination may be useful in the diagnosis of early dementia, and may reduce false positives associated with depression, limited premorbid ability, or normal aging.

DOI

10.1016/0887-6177(94)90015-9

NSUWorks Citation

Mittenberg, W., Malloy, M., Petrick, J., Knee, K. (1994). Impaired Depth Perception Discriminates Alzheimer's Dementia from Aging and Major Depression. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 9(1), 71-79.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/138